The quarantine experience allowed many of us to once again revisit our home kitchen, preparing comforting meals as dining at home became the new normal. It also pushed many of us to be more creative in the kitchen with healthier recipes...
We've seen quite a number of creative food trends and innovations during the past few months as consumer habits continue to change, evolve and adapt to the new normal. But as the threat of the viral pandemic lingers, preparing hearty and comforting dishes with health benefits becomes even more important. After all, your first line of defense is a healthy diet. Quaker, the world's number one oatmeal brand, steps in to transform your quarantine kitchen experience with delicious and healthy recipes that's not only tasty but easy to prepare as well. Read on and spark up some fun in your kitchen with this indulgent yet easy and healthy Quaker Oats Cream Pie recipe...
Following established health and safety protocols is a step in the right direction but you can go further. Arm yourself in the new normal with easy, delicious and healthy meals with #QuakerStrongRecipes by Quaker Oats and strengthen your first line of defense. Dining at home can be memorable and fun, and a lot healthier too. Boosting your immunity by integrating iron-rich all-natural oats to your daily diet is a smart move in these challenging times. Quaker Oats offers a full range of all-natural oats from Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Quick Cook Oatmeal, Instant Oatmeal and flavored oatmeal like the Banana & Honey Instant Oatmeal. Open a pack and you're on your way to a healthy and delicious meal at home.
Regarded as a supergrain, oats are a natural source of iron essential for building immunity against diseases. It's also a natural source of vitamins and minerals like zinc, protein, fiber, selenium, thiamine of Vitamin B1 and folate. Iron plays a key role in the oxygenation of red blood cells as well as aid in the production of white blood cells to strengthen the body's immune system against viruses and bacteria. It's also a versatile grain lending well to savory dishes and desserts. The culinary possibilities are endless limited only by your imagination and creativity.
To fire up your creative juices in the kitchen, Quaker Oats partnered with Chefs Miko Aspiras, Nicco Santos and Allen Buhay for Quaker Oats #QuakerStrongRecipes featuring a variety of inventive sweet treats and savory dishes using the supergrain for a unique and refreshingly healthy spin. The collaboration aims to inspire home chefs to get creative and start cooking in their home kitchen. I can hardly cook, but I was surprised at how easy it was to integrate oats in a nutritious meal. And I did have a lot of fun preparing one of the #QuakerStrongrecipes and boasting aside, quite impressed with the results.
The first recipe in the #QuakerStrongRecipes series is from good friend Miko Aspiras, one of the country's noted pastry chefs with the Quaker Oats Cream Pie. It's an indulgent recipe that seems intimidating to prepare, but no worries. Once you gather all the ingredients and follow the simple and easy recipe...
...you can give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off, and quite impressively at that. How can something this decadent be healthy? The use of oats as the base for these indulgent sweet treats is a clever way to transform any dish or treat. And the best part? These Quaker Oats Cream Pies are good to the last bite. And I still can't get over the fact that I made these. Ready to make a batch of your own?
The Quaker Oats Cream Pie by Chef Miko Aspiras not only tastes good, it's healthy and nutritious and so easy to make at home. Here's the recipe...
Quaker Oats Cream Pie
Serves: 14-15 cookie sandwiches
Cookies
Ingredients:
● 3 cups (240g) Quaker Rolled Oats*
● 1 and 1/4 cups (2.5 sticks; 290g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
● 1 cup (200g) packed dark brown sugar
● 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
● 1 large egg, at room temperature
● 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
● 1 Tablespoon dark molasses**
● 1 and 1/2 cups (187g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
● 1 teaspoon baking soda
● 1/2 teaspoon salt
● 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
● 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves***
*Use Quaker Instant Oats as an alternative.
**Use honey as an alternative.
***Use nutmeg as an alternative.
Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together on medium-high speed until light and creamy for about 1 minute. Beat in the egg, vanilla and molasses, scraping down the sides as needed. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and oats.
4. With the mixer running on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients. The dough will be quite thick and you may have to mix it all by hand after a few seconds in the mixer. Drop dough with a large cookie scoop, or make sure each ball of dough is roughly 2 tablespoons. Cookies will spread in the oven, so drop each ball of dough 3 inches apart.
5. Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cream Filling
Ingredients
● 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks; 175g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
● 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
● 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream
● 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
● salt, to taste
Procedure
1. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Taste and add a pinch or two of salt, as needed. If filling is way too thick, add a couple more teaspoons of heavy cream.
2. Spread 1.5 Tablespoons of cream filling on the bottom side of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies, right side up.
And that's it. Making each component of the Quaker Oats Cream Pie is simple and easy, gather the family together and have some fun in the kitchen.
And just like that, you have your Quaker Oats Cream Pie, just one of many #QuakerStrongRecipes from the world's number one oatmeal brand, Quaker Oats. If I could do it, so can you. Unlike cooking, baking is an exacting science where precise portions and temperature can easily spell the difference. Having no baking experience at all, I think the end result says it all. I may have gone just a little bit overboard with an extra dollop of cream filling, but then again, I enjoy my desserts like that. The clean, nutty notes of the oats adds both texture and flavor, perfectly finished by the silky smooth and lavish indulgence of the cream filling.
As the pandemic continues to linger, it's always a good idea to stock up on Quaker Oats at home for a quick and satisfying breakfast, meal or snack. Easy to store and prepare, Quaker Oats is your go-to stash for satisfying and easy-to-prepare meals.
Top it with fresh fruits from the community market for that perfect start of the day. And be creative. Oats work with just about any fruit or topping you love.
The health benefits of oats are matched by its versatility, adding both texture and flavor to your culinary creation. You can boost your iron intake and build your immunity simply by adding oats to your diet. And in the new normal, every edge counts.
And there are so many ways to enjoy a bowl of oats. I like my oats with chocolate and milk for a healthier alternative to the usual champorado with oats replacing sticky rice. You feel a whole lot lighter and better too.
Now more than ever, health and nutrition plays an important role in the fight against the lingering virus. A hearty bowl of Quaker Oats...
...or a platter of fresh-baked Quaker Oats Cream Pie, have your oats your way. And boost your immunity with each bite. Let Quaker Oats take you on a culinary adventure right in your own kitchen and discover new ways of enjoying your favorite oats.
And whatever you choose, the classic Whole Grain Rolled Oats...
...the convenience of Quick Cook Oatmeal and Instant Oatmeal...
...or Banana & Honey Flavor Instant Oatmeal, the Quaker Oats badge is your guarantee of all-natural quality and freshness.
Like life's pause button, the quarantine experience made us all stop and realize what truly matters, and that's not a bad thing. The value of health and the simple indulgence of homemade sweet treats makes it easier to go through another day in the new normal.
And Quaker Oats is right there with you each step of the way. Start your own culinary journey with healthy recipes and #BeQuakerStrong with #QuakerStrongRecipes...
For more information on Quaker Oats and the full list of #QuakerStrongRecipes, visit www.quakeroats.ph.
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